Bundesliga September 12 Preview: Dortmund vs Paderborn & Augsburg vs Leverkusen | Predictions
Bundesliga Matchday 3 continues on September 12 with two exciting fixtures. Borussia Dortmund host newly promoted SC Paderborn at Signal Iduna Park, while surprise league leaders Augsburg face Bayer Leverkusen.
Both matches kick off at 7:00 PM IST, making them two of the key Bundesliga games for Indian football fans on Saturday.
Borussia Dortmund vs SC Paderborn
Dortmund have made a strong start to the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign, collecting six points from their opening two matches.
Niko Kovač's side followed their opening win over Hamburg with an impressive comeback against Hoffenheim, recovering from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Serhou Guirassy remains Dortmund's main attacking threat, while Fabio Silva and new signing Ethan Nwaneri provide further options in the final third.
Dortmund do have some injury concerns. Emre Can, Giannis Konstantelias and Nico Schlotterbeck are among those currently listed as unavailable, while Konstantinos Karetsas is doubtful.
Paderborn face a much tougher challenge at Signal Iduna Park. The newly promoted side are still searching for their first Bundesliga win of the campaign, and Dortmund's attacking quality should give the hosts a clear advantage.
With home support behind them, BVB should have enough to secure a third consecutive league victory.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3-0 SC Paderborn
Match Tip: Borussia Dortmund to win
Augsburg vs Bayer Leverkusen
This could be one of the most interesting Bundesliga matches of the weekend.
Augsburg have been the surprise package of the new season. Manuel Baum's side beat Schalke 3-0 before producing an impressive 4-1 away victory against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Those results leave Augsburg top of the Bundesliga with six points, seven goals scored and only one conceded. It is the first time in the club's Bundesliga history that they have occupied first place.
Leverkusen, however, arrive with renewed confidence after a convincing 4-0 victory over Union Berlin on Matchday 2.
Carles Martínez's side have plenty of attacking quality, with Patrik Schick expected to lead the line alongside creative options including Ibrahim Maza, Moussa Diaby and Afonso Moreira.
There is also a warning from the previous meeting. Augsburg came from behind to beat Leverkusen 2-1, with Fabian Rieder scoring twice, including a stoppage-time winner.
Leverkusen have the stronger squad on paper, but Augsburg's excellent form means this should be a much closer contest than expected.
Prediction: Augsburg 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Match Tip: Bayer Leverkusen to avoid defeat
Final Verdict
Dortmund should be the stronger favourite of the two, especially at Signal Iduna Park against newly promoted Paderborn. Augsburg vs Leverkusen is far more difficult to call: the hosts are currently Bundesliga leaders, but Leverkusen's quality and their 4-0 win last time out suggest they are finding their rhythm.
Best Picks: Borussia Dortmund to win | Bayer Leverkusen to avoid defeat